ABOUT US
Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Château de Détilly offers a luxurious retreat where writers can settle into quiet, inspiring spaces to work. Whether in the stillness of the chapel, the sunlit orangerie, the sweeping terraces or among the rose gardens, there is room to breathe, think, and create.
Throughout the day, cozy salons, shaded tables, and hidden writing nooks invite focused work, while evenings can be spent by the fire or enjoying relaxed conversation over wine from the region. Nourishing meals, peaceful surroundings, and the gentle rhythm of château life support deep creative flow — making Détilly not just a place to stay, but a place to write.
Where History, Beauty & Inspiration Meet
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
- Mark Twain -
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Gray’s journey to Château de Détilly began with a single backpack and a Eurail Pass in 1978. Arriving in Paris for the first time, he was immediately captivated: the green-uniformed street sweepers at dawn, the warm scent of croissants drifting from boulangeries, the hum of mopeds weaving through narrow streets, and the thrill of encountering French words everywhere he looked. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of his life — and it set in motion a quiet promise to return.
He did return — in 1987 — this time with Pierre, who would later become his husband in 2015.
After years spent teaching language and writing at the Nouvelle Sorbonne and Sciences Po, Gray founded Paris Creative Writers in 2017, bringing together a community of dedicated fiction writers. Three years later, he fulfilled a lifelong dream: purchasing a château in the Loire Valley and transforming Château de Détilly into both a luxury bed-and-breakfast and a sanctuary for creative minds.
Today, Gray and Pierre welcome writers from around the world to Château de Détilly — a retreat where stories are nurtured, ideas take root, and a sense of community flourishes within the walls of a historic French estate.
Whether you come to finish a novel, begin a new project, or simply reconnect with your creative self, Château de Détilly offers an atmosphere of history, beauty, and quiet inspiration. Here, creativity is not just encouraged — it is inevitable.
